Araxos

Araxos Άραξος
Community
Araxos
Coordinates: 38°10′N 21°25′E
Country	Greece
Administrative region	West Greece
Regional unit	Achaea
Municipality	West Achaea
Municipal unit	Larissos
Highest elevation	289 m (948 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (2021)[1]
• Community	218
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code	271 00
Area code(s)	26930

Araxos (Greek: Άραξος, Latin: Araxus) is a village and community in the municipal unit of Larissos, within the municipality of West Achaea, in the northwestern part of Achaea, Greece. It is located approximately 29 km southwest of Patras. The community consists of the villages of Araxos, Akrotirio Araxos, and Taxiarches. Araxos is situated in the coastal plains near Cape Araxos, which separates the Gulf of Patras from the Ionian Sea.

Two lagoons are located near the village of Araxos: Prokopos to the southwest and Kalogria (or Pappas or Araxos) to the north.^[2] The Mavra Vouna hills lie to the north, with Cape Araxos as their northernmost point. Araxos is 4 km west of Lakkopetra, 1 km west of Araxos Airport, 5 km north of Metochi, and 13 km west of Kato Achaia.

Strofilia wetlands natural park

The Strofilia Wetlands Natural Park and Kalogria beach are located on the northwest coast of the island. Strofilia is a 22 km² (8.5 sq mi) national park that is part of the Natura 2000 network and is protected under the Ramsar Convention.^[3] The wetlands ecosystem occupies a coastal zone of about 22 km (14 mi) in length, with an average width of 1.5 km (0.93 mi).^[4] It is a complex coastal ecosystem that includes the lagoons of Prokopos and Kalogria (or Pappas), the Lamia marshes, and the forest of Strofilia (Natura 2000 codes: GR 232001 and GR233006). The Stone pine (Pinus pinea) forest of Strofilia is the most extensive Stone Pine forest in all of Greece and one of the largest in Europe. Most of the area consists of sand dune formations.^[5][6]

Historical population

Year	Population community
1981	595
1991	403
2001	632
2011	509
2021	218

Araxos Air Base

An auxiliary military airfield was constructed in the area in 1939. Construction of the base began around 1958, and it became operational in 1962. Currently, the base is used by the 116 Combat Wing of the Hellenic Air Force, which consists of the 335 Bombing Squadron and the 336 Bombing Squadron, both equipped with F-16C/D Block 52+ aircraft.^[7] The runway is 3352 m long, running in a south-to-north direction (18/36). The military installations are accessed from Lakkopetra to the north.

From 1978 to 2001, Araxos Air Base was also home to the NATO 345 Air Munitions Company. This unit was responsible for the U.S. B61 nuclear bombs intended for delivery by Hellenic Air Force A-7H aircraft under NATO nuclear sharing arrangements. The nuclear weapons were stored in vaults inside the base's Hardened Aircraft Shelters using the WS3 Weapon Storage and Security System.^[8]

Araxos Airport

Araxos Airport (IATA: GPA, ICAO: LGRX) is a civilian airport that shares its runway with the Araxos Air Base. It is the closest airport to the city of Patras. The airport serves a few civilian charter flights from northern Europe during the summer. The civil aviation installations are accessed from the south.^[9]

Gallery

• 
  The Umbrella pine (Pinus pinea) forest of Strofylia and the Prokopos lagoon.
• 
  Prokopos Lagoon
• 
  Kalogria (Prokopos) Lagoon Shore
• 
  Prokopos Lagoon Panorama
• 
  Partial panoramic view of Prokopos Lagoon within Strofylia Forrest, near Araxos village, Kalogria Village, Kalogria beach and Araxos Cape in Western Achaia, Greece.
• 
  Partial panoramic view of Prokopos Lagoon.
• 
  Partial panoramic view of Prokopos Lagoon.
• 
  Partial view of Prokopos Lagoon.
• 
  Partial view of Prokopos Lagoon.
• 
  Partial view of Prokopos Lagoon.
• 
  Partial view of Prokopos Lagoon.
• 
  Panoramic view of Prokopos Lagoon.
• 
  Partial view of Prokopos Lagoon.
• 
  Partial view of Prokopos Lagoon.
• 
  Partial view of Prokopos Lagoon.
• 
  Partial view of Prokopos Lagoon.
• 
  Partial view of Prokopos Lagoon.
• 
  Partial view of Prokopos Lagoon.
• 
  Partial view of Prokopos Lagoon.
• 
  Partial view of Prokopos Lagoon.
• 
  Partial view of Prokopos Lagoon.
• 
  The Umbrella pine (Pinus pinea) forest of Strofylia and the Prokopos lagoon.
• 
  Partial view of Prokopos Lagoon.
• 
  Partial view of Prokopos Lagoon.
• 
  Halocnemum strobilaceum in Prokopos Lagoon.
• 
  Partial view of Prokopos Lagoon with Halocnemum strobilaceum.
• 
  Saint Peter's orthodox chapel surrounded by Halocnemum strobilaceum in Prokopos Lagoon.

See also

• Dymaean Wall
• List of settlements in Achaea

References

1. "Αποτελέσματα Απογραφής Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2021, Μόνιμος Πληθυσμός κατά οικισμό" [Results of the 2021 Population - Housing Census, Permanent population by settlement] (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 29 March 2024.
2. "Kalogria -Strofylia Forest". www.visit-achaia.gr. Archived from the original on 2018-04-23.
3. "Standard Data Form (GR2320001)". Natura 2000. European Environment Agency.
4. []http://strofylianationalpark.gr/national-park-of-kotychi-strofylia-wetlands/general-information-of-the-region/ Official website of the Management Body of Kotychi and Strofylia Wetlands private legal entity
5. "Strofilia forest".
6. "Strofilia the pines extravagance".
7. HAF 116 Combat Wing
8. Hans M. Kristensen (February 2005), U.S. Nuclear Weapons in Europe (PDF), Natural Resources Defense Council, retrieved 2006-05-23
9. Araxos Airport (in Greek) Archived June 30, 2011, at the Wayback Machine

External links

• Araxos Airport in Greek Airport Guide